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12-10-2022 19:24 |
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Maritime
Cyprus 2022 Conference focuses on Seafarer Rights with personal account from
Captain Lasota |
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Highlights
from speeches and panel sessions on the final day of the conference The Maritime Cyprus 2022
conference continued today for the third day in Lemesos, and has successfully
reached its conclusion. Opening discussions, Mr Anders Hvid, Co-founder, DareDisrupt explored the topic “Leveraging digital transformation and innovation for a brighter future in shipping”. He noted several observations in shipping and energy, where an accelerating level of innovation will see complete transformation of certain sectors over the next decade. One example was the rise of solar energy, and its ever-decreasing cost which will cement renewables as reliable, affordable, and sustainable sources of energy. Commenting on the power of data in shipping, Mr Anders Hvid said “The green transformation is the biggest challenge we have ever faced, and digitalization is a mighty, powerful tool we can use to solve it.” Today’s discussions continued
with the panel “Automated and autonomous Shipping: Is the pace fast
enough?” with moderator Ms Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, President, WISTA
International and CEO, Tototheo Maritime. The panel included Ms Maja
Markovčić Kostelac, Executive Director, European Maritime Safety Agency, Mr
Yi Han Ng, Director of Innovation, Technology & Talent Development,
Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Mr Mark O’Neil, President,
InterManager and Dr Evangelos Ouzounis, Head of Policy Development and
Implementation Unit, European Union Agency for Cybersecurity. The panel agreed that use of
automation in shipping is showing much promise, with development accelerating
in areas such as artificial intelligence. Participants discussed the
potential of technology but warned that human error was a risk factor that
the industry needs to consider. Mr Mark O’Neil explained automation would
always require people power either onboard or onshore and semi-automation is
the future. He continued to highlight how regulatory progress needed to
support automation. The discussion also covered the
value of protecting the handling and collection of data and how sharing data
can be a conflict - both how it might help the maritime industry but also
help its progress. The panel closed with comments on how the industry needs
to prepare for developments in automation, with training noted as critical to
success, particularly as maritime technologies and alternative fuels develop. Following the first panel, the
highlight of the day focused on the question “Is Seafarers’ welfare and
rights in jeopardy? Leading discussions, Captain Lasota focused on the
non-criminalization of seafarers. The moderator was Dr Iliana
Christodoulou-Varotsi and panellists included Mr Stephen Cotton, General
Secretary, International Transport Workers' Federation, Mr Jan Meyering,
Joint Managing Director, Marlow Navigation Co. Ltd, and Mr Guy Platten,
Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping. Captain Lasota gave a heartfelt
account of his personal experiences, which involved himself being unjustly
prosecuted and jailed for two years for a narcotics case. He called for
ongoing discussion around, and development of legislation relating to,
seafarer rights. Panelists explored the state of
seafarer rights within the context the regulatory landscape, emphasizing the
importance of tackling the challenge head on to avoid further suffering by
keyworkers forming the backbone of the shipping industry. The panel also outlined what
changes could be made to rectify the current seafarer shortage including
improved connectivity, investment in programs geared towards increased
diversity, equity and inclusivity and encouraging more female involvement in
the industry. The final panel of the day
explored the topic of “Challenging the Communication Challenge”,
which was moderated by Ms Liana Charalambous Tanos, Conference
Chairwoman, Permanent Secretary, Shipping Deputy Ministry. The panelists for
this discussion were Mr Stuart Neil, Director of Strategy and Communications,
International Chamber of Shipping, Ms Anna Vourgos, President, WISTA Cyprus,
Mr Sean Treacy, Senior Vice President Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean
International and Ms Michelle Wiese Bockmann, Markets Editor/Analyst, Lloyd’s
List. Ms Liana Charalambous Tanos
opened the panel by questioning how shipping is presenting itself to the
general public. In response to this, Ms Michelle Wiese Bockmann highlighted
the abundance of room for improvement in how shipping approaches
communications. Citing the Ever Given’s obstruction of the Suez Canal in
2021, she highlighted the situation as a missed opportunity for shipping
leaders to shift the narrative and highlight the importance of the sector to
the global supply chain. Ms Anna Vourgos encouraged
leaders of the sector to adjust the tone, increasing promotion of the
industry to the general public, governments and external regulatory bodies
and financiers. “We are not a visible industry but we need to be,” she said.
The panel agreed the industry needs to be self-critical and professionalize
how it communicates. “When headlines hit the Financial Times front page, the
government acts,” he said. Joining the stage for the final
panel, Cyprus Shipping Deputy Minister to the President, Mr Vassilios
Demetriades, communicated his support for the drive for external
communication outside of the industry. “Strong external relations will ensure
we are visible, and it will have positive results,” he concluded. Following this last debate, Mr
Vassilios Demetriades thanked all the delegates, participants and high
calibre speakers as well as the conference sponsors and co-organizers, the
Cyprus Shipping Chamber and the Cyprus Union of Shipowners for joining discussions
for Maritime Cyprus 2022. (NG) |
